Learn more about Ricardo De Jesus’ exciting journey with HCE

In the heart of Jersey City, New Jersey, an inspiring story of growth and success has been unfolding. Ricardo De Jesus serves as a team lead in Hudson Community Enterprises (HCE) Electronic Content Management (ECM) social enterprise. His work in leading the Motor Vehicle Commission’s ECM project is evidence of what dedication, learning, and collaboration can bring. He began work in 2015, when a friend guided De Jesus, a recent college graduate seeking part-time employment, to HCE. The result is an almost decade-long partnership between De Jesus and our organization.

As an ECM team lead, De Jesus’ daily tasks are a mix of organization and precision. From receiving bundles of paperwork, to the meticulous processes of reboxing, scanning, and quality control, De Jesus ensures that every document meets the standards set by contract. He has learned prioritization and delegation, as well as recognizing the strength of team collaboration. De Jesus’ advice to others emphasizes the importance of teamwork, urging individuals not to bear the burden of work alone, but to delegate work for successful project completion.

De Jesus highlights the supportive environment at HCE that has helped foster his own personal and professional growth, and he also expresses gratitude for all the positive experiences and knowledge that he has gained thus far. De Jesus’ success story is not just an individual triumph but a reflection of the collaborative and nurturing environment that HCE fosters..

As he continues to make strides in his career, Ricardo De Jesus serves as an inspiration and reminder for aspiring professionals that with determination, learning, and a supportive team, success knows no bounds.

HCE APPROVED AS COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYER BY NJ CBVI

We are proud to announce that the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) has approved Hudson Community Enterprises (HCE) as a competitive, integrated employer under the Work Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) definition of acceptable employment outcomes for the blind, low vision, and deafblind population.

Competitive integrated employment is defined within WIOA as full-time or part-time work at minimum wage or higher, with wages and benefits similar to those without disabilities performing the same work, and fully integrated with coworkers without disabilities. WIOA ensures employment is offered as a priority outcome for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

HCE, based in Jersey City, NJ offers an array of training services and employment opportunities to persons with disabilities. Through social enterprise businesses, we provide quality services to the public and private sector throughout the tri-State area. The businesses we operate that are approved as competitive integrated employment include Building Management Services, Document Shredding and Scanning, and Digital Printing.

Employment opportunities are available to persons with disabilities in all HCE’s businesses. Learn more about the job best suited for you, and the benefits we offer. You can read more on our website: https://hce.works/careers/

HCE’s Weishaar Named to NJ State Rehabilitation Advisory Council Committee

Recently, Lauren Weishaar, HCE’s Director of Community Impact and key member of HCE’s Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services, was chosen to serve on the New Jersey State Rehabilitation Advisory Council Committee. Weishaar, who is widely recognized for her commitment and effectiveness in supporting both deaf and blind individuals in New Jersey, was invited by a representative of The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) to apply for the volunteer position. 

As a representative of the deaf and hard of hearing community, Weishaar will work closely with the CBVI and other state councils to assist in analyzing the effectiveness and consumer satisfaction of vocational rehabilitation services and make recommendations on how to improve. 

“It is truly an honor to undertake this new role and work with the Committee to advocate for the estimated 850,000 New Jersey residents who have varying degrees of hearing loss,” said Weishaar. “Through my prior experience, my role at the NJ State Rehabilitation Advisory Council Committee, and my new position with Hudson Community Enterprises, I feel so very well-positioned to bring light to the issues that I know first-hand need to be addressed – and can be addressed – with laser focus, strong partnerships, and significant resources.”

Weishaar, HCE’s Director of Community Impact, comes to the organization with a lifelong experience as a Deaf woman, Bachelor of Arts from New Jersey City University, Magna Cum Laude, and has over 10 years of employment services experience working with the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Deafblind, and blind populations. She will be focusing on HCE’s program growth, strategic planning, and business innovations.

HCE Builds New Team to Expand Services to Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community

Taking steps to expand its six-decade mission of supporting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, Hudson Community Enterprises is building a new team to provide training and job placement services for the deaf and hard of hearing.

“The goal of our incredibly experienced new team is multi-pronged,” said HCE President Joe Brown. “First, we are heavily focused on outreaching to our many stakeholders to ensure they are aware of the training and job placement services we can provide. Those audiences include school administrators, students and families that want to explore our services to this community.

“Our outreach also includes businesses throughout the tri-State area who are looking to bring the deaf and hard of hearing into their workplace, and the services we offer to help those businesses reach that goal,” added Brown. “We are also working to advance several new social enterprise businesses that will offer job opportunities for the people we are training.”

HCE services will include vocational assessments, job readiness training, and job placement and coaching. Each of our new team members will be focused on creating welcoming and inclusive work environments in HCE’s Social Enterprise Businesses, and expanding work opportunities for these populations. The new team members include:

Daniela Rivera, Vice President, Program Development, brings over a decade of experience working to advance and expand vocational rehabilitation services. In her new position at HCE, Rivera will oversee the development of innovative and scalable programs that further the economic inclusion of individuals with hearing and/or vision loss. She holds a Masters in Business Administration from Capella University, Magna Cum Laude, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration — Leadership and Management from Capella University, Cum Laude. For more information, visit here.

Angela C. Gargano, Manager of Deaf Services, brings over seven years of employment services experience to our organization, along with a Bachelor of Science in Deaf Studies and Human Services from Towson University, and an Associates in Art: American Sign Language and Deaf Studies from Union County College. For more information, visit here.

Lauren Weishaar, Director of Community Impact, comes to the organization with a lifelong experience as a Deaf woman, Bachelor of Arts from New Jersey City University, Magna Cum Laude, and has over 10 years of employment services experience working with the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deafblind, and blind populations. She will be focusing on program growth, strategic planning, and business innovations. For more information, visit here.

All of our new team members are fluent in American Sign Language. More information about the services and job opportunities and additional new team members will be available on our website in the coming weeks.

Hudson Community Enterprises Honors Long-Time Chair With Dedication of Facility

Tuers Avenue-Jersey City Facility Named “Ronald H. Shaljian Building”

Ron Shaljian isn’t bashful when it comes to supporting and advancing the mission of Hudson Community Enterprises. For decades, he has been spreading the word about HCE’s training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, and 35 years ago, was instrumental in securing a new facility.

Recently, HCE honored Ron’s commitment by naming the Tuers Avenue facility (one of two facilities HCE operates in Jersey City) after their long-time Chairman.

“I’m not bashful when I meet with new businesses or organizations about what we have accomplished at HCE over six decades,” Ron said, shortly after the celebration of the newly minted facility this Summer. “I always say, ‘Hire our people…you won’t be disappointed.”

Ron’s approach to finding HCE’s trainees employment is similar to the passion he showed in 1987 when he discovered that the Tuers building was available.

Ron, who is a long-time member of the Jersey City-based law firm Schumann Hanlon Marguilies, said that one of his clients had mentioned the availability of an unutilized facility on Tuers Avenue, and Ron knew it could be a good fit to enhance needed office space in addition to the existing Montgomery Avenue facility.

“Next thing I know, we had the office space donated, and we were in talks with the State of New Jersey regarding low-cost financing to get it ready for use,” said Shaljian. “I was so happy to be part of bringing this new site online. It was time for us to grow.”

Ed Bogosian, also a Board member at HCE and a longtime marketing professional, notes that Ron’s manner has always been to help others

“Ron is sincerely dedicated and compassionate,” says Bogosian, “He has been a ‘brother’ and mentor all my life. His loving and patient manner has shown the way for others, including many of the people at HCE, some of whom he’s known for decades.”

HCE President Joe Brown noted that through the years, “Ron has been a steady captain of the HCE ship, through many challenges and much success. We were happy to affix his name to honor our building and our mission.”

At the dedication ceremony, Ron was proud to have the members of his family, Catherine, his wife, Lara Arocho, his daughter, Oscar Arocho, his son-in-law, and his two grandchildren, Cindy and Jack present. Jack, 8-years-old, named the building “The Papa Building” and created his own plaque, which will be displayed in the building.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Gene Boffa, Ron’s long-time friend and law partner summed it up this way…”not only has Ron given so many years to HCE, he has given his time and energy to all of us, his friends who are here today and asks nothing in return.”